PREVENTION OF EPIDEMICS 
515 
The term epidemic as used in this paragraph refers to the 
widespread occurrence of a disease in which a large number 
of people in a community are affected at the same time. 
This is the usual sense in which it is used by physicians. 
All American troops were detained in Europe at foreign 
ports for two weeks, during which time they were deloused. 
After the troops had embarked, they were inspected a second 
time for lice. On landing in the United States, all the troops 
were sent to debarkation 
camps, where universal 
delousing was practiced. 
Many people think 
that Americans take so 
many precautions and are 
so well trained in ordi¬ 
nary questions of per¬ 
sonal and civil hygiene 
that epidemics are im¬ 
possible. While many are 
familiar with the ordinary 
rules which science has 
devised for their protection, it requires that all observe them. 
Those of us who understand the real meaning of communi¬ 
cable disease must take upon ourselves the responsibility of 
helping to explain the cause of all such disease to those who 
have not been so fortunate as to have had a course in biology. 
395. Prevention of Epidemics. — The first measure to be 
adopted, and the one of greatest importance, is educational. 
Under this heading is included the knowledge: (1) that all 
germ diseases are due to a specific germ, plant or animal, 
living in an intimate relation on or in the human body; 
(2) that all germ diseases are preventable; (3) that keeping 
our bodies clean, eating clean food, well cooked, and taking 
plenty of exercise will do more to prevent germ diseases 
than anything else. 
Figure 431. — Male and Female Cooties. 
These vermin greatly annoyed the 
soldiers in the trenches and are carriers 
of disease. (Much larger than in life.) 
